|
"Regained "Written By: Artemis Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and its characters are
copyright to Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency, and associated parties.
I make no money with this fic. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: yaoi lemon, masturbation, angst, violence,
language Pairings: 6x2, 3x4, mention of 13+11, R+1 Summary: Sequel to Interfacing: Lost. GAIA, the
new alliance, fights its first battle in Antarctica; Duo and Zechs
begin to rebuild their relationship "Regained" Chapter 8
Smooth, clear skin... jaw and chin showing faintly dark stubble, still soft... dark lashes folded over the cobalt eyes... a pert nose... long, thin, curved brows... and that wide slash of a mouth that shifted into a grin so easily... lips... //Ever eager for mine...// //He's amazing... so much fire and power in such a compact, slender frame,// Zechs mused, picking up the braid from where it lay along the boy's back and holding it against his cheek. //So young, but so old... my sweet, little man...// He smiled and dropped a kiss against Duo's hair again. Then Zechs carefully and slowly picked up his lover in his arms. Far from waking, Duo only snuggled in closer. Zechs stood up and carried Duo over to the bed, laying him down on it and managing to avoid laying him on anything but clothes despite the half-unpacked bag on one side. Duo only sighed and curled up a little more, turning onto his side. //He's utterly magnificent,// Zechs thought with a twinge. //God, I want to make love to him, but I just can't yet... it's just too soon.// Sighing, he turned away, then his foot hit something on the floor. Looking down, he saw the gun that Duo had tossed away. Grimacing, Zechs nudged that under the bed, out of sight, then returned to the couch where he arranged himself as best he could, and went back to sleep. Duo rolled over onto his back, lazily stretching out on the bed as his eyes flickered open to a near dark room. According to the digital clock on the nightstand, he had slept through the night. It was nearly six o'clock in the morning. //Hmm... I fell asleep in my clothes again,// he thought as he slowly sat up. He didn't remember coming to bed. His last thoughts had been of strong arms around him... "Zechs," he said softly, and then his eyes looked across the room to see his lover sound asleep on the couch. //Wow, he stayed with me all night,// he thought with a grin, but then a pang hit him. Zechs hadn't cuddled up with him on the bed. //Guess he's not ready for that either.// Duo crossed his legs and sat for a long moment just looking at Zechs, memorizing the long elegance of his body, the lines and curves of muscle and the handsome profile framed so perfectly by silky white tendrils of hair. //I think I fell in love with you before we even met,// he sighed. The young Gundam pilot had it bad for this man - this prince - but didn't quite know if he was handling things right with him. He was playing the game and following the rules as best he could, but he was so young and truly lost for how to proceed. //Just be yourself, Maxwell,// he told himself. //Or maybe not...// Surely being himself had brought Zechs to him, but was it enough to keep him? Now that Duo knew Zechs Merquise was in reality Prince Peacecraft of the Sank Kingdom, that changed everything. Didn't it? The young colonist didn't know the first thing about the life of princes and kings... let alone beautiful ace pilots. Shaking off the questions, Duo got up and removed the bed cover to lay it gently across Zechs's legs. He sat down on the edge of the couch and watched his lover a moment more. //You're incredible... But I wonder...// Then, no longer able to resist, he reached out and touched the noble face... lightly tracing a cheekbone with his fingertips. And then his lover began to wake. "Hmmm..." Zechs made a soft noise, rising to wakefulness, then his eyelids fluttered for a moment. Blinking, he roused, yawning. Then he saw he had company. "Duo," he whispered, glancing up at the watchful gaze of his little lover who had touched him awake with fingertips still on his jaw. "Is... is something wrong?" "No, of course not, love," Duo said, nearly purring as those ice blue eyes looked at him. "I just woke up a minute ago to find you sleeping on the couch." He let his fingers fall into a lock of platinum hair - combing through it in a repeated caress. "I'm amazed that someone as large as you could've slept on this thing all night," he grinned. "I must have been tired," Zechs admitted, sitting up a little, stretching his cramped neck and legs. "I didn't want to go back to my room... and leave you alone," he added quietly, resting his head against Duo's arm. "Dancer..." "I'm glad you stayed," Duo said, his eyes smiling as he brought his hand to rest on Zechs's shoulder. "And thank you for making sure I was comfortable. You're always so thoughtful of me." Instinctively he began to massage Zechs's shoulder, knowing it must be sore from his unusual sleeping position. The muscle was a little tight, but that broad shoulder felt incredible under Duo's hand. //When, Zechs? When will you let me make love to you again?// A small sigh escaped his lips, but he grinned to cover the temporary lapse into melancholy. "How's that?" "Mmmm, thanks," Zechs murmured, flexing his shoulder as he sat up fully. He rubbed at his face with his hands for a moment before looking over. "We're going to have a full day ahead of us, and..." He was rudely interrupted by the loud claxon of the base siren. Zechs was on his feet a second later. "Put on something warm - a jacket? I've got to get something out of my room..." He already had the door open and was halfway in the hall. "We've got to go to the control tower. That ought to be Noin's shuttle arriving... and it sounds like they've got trouble!" This last he shouted as he sprinted a few doors down to his own room. "Zechs!" Duo shouted, but the man was gone in a flurry of words and action. Duo's heart pounded as he tried to think over that damn siren. //Something warm...// He rushed to the bed and pulled his little black jacket and knee length leather coat from the pile and put them on. Then he looked for his gun, remembering he had tossed it on the floor the night before. "Damn it! Where is that thing?" he shouted in frustration. //Don't have time,// he decided, and then darted out into hallway. Zechs was already coming back for him. "Zechs!" he called out, calming a little on seeing the man. Zechs returned, walking briskly, wearing a pale gray cravat at the V of the maroon pullover, and a light gray, knee-length coat with slits up the sides and wide lapels, the most aristocratic attire Duo would have seen him in outside of the OZ uniform. "They've likely run into the Romefeller search party," he added in further explanation as he gestured for Duo to follow him. Back to work. As soon as Zechs strode into the Barclay Base control tower, breaths were audibly released. //Here we go,// he thought, twitching his shoulder in irritation. "Federi, what's going on out there?" he asked hastily of the tower chief. He gestured for Duo to stand beside him, and Quatre as well; the little Arabian had arrived just before they did. Captain Federi gestured toward the radio. "We got a call from the shuttle, sir. They did encounter Inspector Acht. They had some trouble - one Aries was down and Noin was about to surrender, but..." He glanced at the two young pilots. "Not only did the shuttle return for them, but a Gundam fought off the rest of the Aries. We heard Acht on the radio. He reported the Gundam, sir." "Damn it," Zechs said tightly. Unconsciously he reached out to touch Duo on the arm. "Was that the 03?" "Yes, sir, I believe so. The shuttle is coming in now, sir." "Heavyarms... It's Trowa," Quatre said, worry evident in his voice. Duo looked over at his friend briefly and then back at Zechs. "Inspector Acht? Isn't he the one who's after you for trying to fix Wing Gundam?" he asked. Zechs gave a snort of irony. "Indeed he is. I see you've been told. It seems to be Acht's personal vendetta to get me for blowing up a heap of scrap gundanium instead of the Gundam itself." He strode forward to the radio and opened the channel to the shuttle. "Noin! It's Zechs - do you have any injured?" The radio crackled, then a woman's voice they recognized came on. "Hey, there... nothing serious, no. Zechs... we got him. Trowa in the 03 got Acht. I recognized his voice on the radio when... when he called in that he'd seen a Gundam. Zechs, the search party is likely just regrouping. They'll come with a bigger force, probably within 24 hours." "And we'll be waiting for them!" Duo shouted enthusiastically... always ready to do battle against OZ. "Who's that?" Noin asked, bewildered. Smirking, Zechs replied, "A strong ally. You'll meet two like this, and watch your step around them!" "Ah, I see. Well, Zechs, I trust your judgment. All I gotta say is, they're pretty nice to have around in the right kind of fight." Zechs bowed his head. //Treize said he can't stop this battle... very well. It'll be our first time to fight together, these bright souls and I...// "Yes. Thank you, Noin. I'll see you and our guests in a few minutes. Out." Turning to Duo and Quatre, Zechs allowed himself a little smile. "Shall we roll out the welcoming party, gentlemen?" "Yeah, let's go meet them," Quatre said with a smile, feeling a flutter of excitement for his Trowa. Silently the young Arab worried about the OZ forces regrouping. //I had hoped we would have more time...// "Time for you to meet Mr. Personality," Duo snorted as he headed out of the room. "I thought Heero was your friend," Quatre said, knowing at once whom the remark was about. "Sure he is... I guess," Duo said with a shrug, and without turning back. //I consider him a friend, but I don't know if he considers me one...// Down inside the hangar, Zechs found cold-weather gear for them, long heavy coats. The weather report indicated it was surprisingly warm for the season, which as it was winter in Antarctica meant "warm" was a brisk minus twelve degrees(1). Hats and gloves were offered but refused as they only expected to be outside a handful of minutes. Zechs, however, donned his customary white gloves. Then they were walking to meet the three figures who stood outside the shuttle. The two young pilots felt a deep excitement at seeing Heero Yuy alive - it was true! //Well, Heero looks exactly the same,// Duo thought as he observed the intense gaze and coiled posture of his friend. "Trowa," Quatre said in a near whisper, taking a half step forward. Duo put his hand out to stop Quatre from interrupting this first meeting. "Hang on, buddy," he said in a low voice. The two boys nodded at each other and then waited out the introductions. Noin, a tall young woman with short, raven hair, waved. "Zechs, I've brought Heero Yuy and Trowa Barton to you as requested," she called over the short distance. "Thank you," Zechs murmured. "You can call me Zechs." Then it was one of those time-stopping moments as everyone froze, looking at everyone else. He found himself staring at the large, dark Prussian-blue eyes of the boy who had committed suicide. //My God, he's incredible... amazing he survived that, and now is actually standing here before us. Will he like the Gundam? Is he going to insist on fighting me instead of allying with us? He's like a wild animal, a panther, I think... those eyes!// Heero Yuy was no less impressed. //This is Zechs? He looks like he just stepped off Mount Olympus. I must be wary; exteriors can be deceiving. OZ calls him the Lightning Count... his reflexes are incredible! Why the hell did he rebuild my Gundam? If he really did... I'll believe that when I see it... What does he want? What's his game in all of this? And where the hell was he when we were at New Edwards? I've got so many questions...// Duo's eyes went back and forth between Zechs and Heero. The long intense gaze between the two soldiers... still enemies... made the hair on the back of Duo's neck stand up. //Damn, this is intense. Are they going to fight after all? It sure looks like Heero's ready to.// "We supposed to shake hands now?" Trowa broke in abruptly, a sullen look on his face as he glanced up at Zechs. As yet, the two new pilots hadn't looked the way of the others waiting a few steps behind Zechs. "No, that's fine," Zechs murmured. //God, I am through fighting them... I just want to work with them. They're scary as hell... and I thought the God of Death was scary...// "Come, let's go inside before the wind picks up more." Finally, Quatre could not wait any longer. "Trowa," he said, stepping toward the taller boy. His eyes had been locked on him the entire time, his heart beating fast in his chest and his mouth gone dry with anticipation. //I wonder if he missed me, too?// The boy with the long bangs and green eyes turned toward the little blond as the others moved away. His expression shifted subtly from sullen to mild concern. "Hi, Quatre. It's cold, we should get inside." Then his eyes seem to darken. "What are you guys doing mixed up with *him*?" He nodded toward the tall, retreating back of the ex-Colonel. "Zechs has left OZ... and he's allied himself with me and Duo," Quatre said as he followed the others inside with Trowa at his side. "He's on our side now." He could feel his friend's continued apprehension, but also a sweet recognition of what they meant to each other. //He did miss me,// the little Arab grinned to himself. "Let me fill you in on our ex-Colonel Merquise..." he said and began to explain in brief the facts as he saw them. Duo in the meantime had caught up with Heero. Sidling up to him, he nudged the serious boy with his elbow. "So, you're back from the dead. At least that's where we thought you were... dead. Wow, I still can't believe you went through with it..." "Yeah, whatever," Heero cut him short, taking a step away from him. "I had no choice." He suppressed a wince, as Duo had nudged him in his half-healed left arm. "Hey," Duo chuckled, turning back to Quatre. "He actually spoke to me!" And then Duo quick stepped around to get in front of Heero to tease him further. "I guess that near-death experience really had an effect on you." Heero glanced sharply toward Trowa, but the tall boy was engaged in conversation with that little blond pilot. //I don't have time for this.// "I've spoken to you before when I had something to say," he murmured to Duo, hoping to deflect his sarcasm. Just then they reached the main facility building. Quickly the party entered to get out of the cold, then continued down a hallway to the main hangar bay. Zechs glanced sidelong at Duo, wondering why he was teasing the new arrival so vehemently. Duo brushed off Heero Yuy for the time being and went over to walk alongside his Zechs. He didn't say anything to the tall man, just got into step with him, as they headed further into the hangar. He would've loved to have taken Zechs's hand and ask him if he was ready to work with four Gundam pilots, but the look of concentration on the man's face told him he was deep in thought. //That's all right. We'll have time to talk later...// Heero noticed that Duo took up a position on the other side of Zechs from himself. //Lot to sort out here - Duo and the blond kid were handling OZ's land route while Trowa and I were watching the air route in Siberia... so it looks like they've stuck together. But Duo is sticking to Zechs like glue - what gives?// "Heero Yuy," Zechs broke into his reverie thoughtfully. "That's the name of the colonial leader who kept the colonies together. Is that your real name?" //Huh, two can play that name.// "Is that *your* real name you're using?" //Who would ever name a kid "Zechs" anyway?// Zechs smiled, shaking his head. "You've got me there. Actually, I do not use my own name for a good reason. I am guarding my given name to protect the innocents to whom that name means something. As long as I function as a soldier, I must do so." Heero glanced shrewdly up at the tall pilot. "Noin says you're leaving OZ. Why?" It wasn't as much of a question as a demand, his voice sharpening on the word. //What a strong little knight,// Zechs mused, wanting to chuckle but keeping his features relaxed, //I bested you in battle but you will come back for more until the day you die. However, I must not fight you now...// "I will explain," he murmured at last. "I think a meeting over breakfast is in order." "Breakfast... that sounds good," Noin said, joining the trio. "I don't know about Heero and Trowa, but I could sure use a few minutes to change and regroup. That was one tough road getting here." "Very well," Zechs responded. "We'll show all of you to your quarters..." "I came to see my Gundam," Heero interrupted abruptly. "I don't need any quarters. I don't expect we're staying long." "Sure you can see your Gundam," Quatre said as he walked up to Heero. "But I think you should at least spend the night. Rest, get something to eat... Maybe even get to know us a little before you move on. By the way," he added, holding out his hand, "I'm Quatre Raberba Winner... pilot of the Gundam Sandrock." Heero turned to regard the little blond impassively, ignoring the outstretched hand. "Heero Yuy." He turned and gave Trowa a look; the taller boy made a slight movement of his shoulder as if to say 'why not?' Heero looked back at Zechs. "You have things to say. I have questions to ask. Might as well sit down over it. Very well. Since Noin doesn't think the search party will regroup inside 24 hours, there's no hurry, though I will need plenty of time to check out my mobile suit." Zechs smirked. "I understand perfectly. After our meeting, I'll go with you myself to see it." "Hn," came the enigmatic response. "This way," Zechs murmured, gesturing toward the barracks area of the facility building. Duo went over and put an arm around Quatre protectively. "Don't mind him," he said loud enough for all of them to hear... especially Heero. "He's got the manners of a troll." Heero narrowed his eyes and focused on walking; Trowa raised an eyebrow. Zechs frowned a little and exchanged a glance with Noin.
(tbc)
|
